GROESBECK - A Provident Bank branch in the 7000 block of Colerain Avenue was robbed Saturday morning of an undetermined amount of money.

The suspect entered about 10 a.m. and passed a note to a teller before escaping, deputies with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Department said.

He had no weapon and was last seen on foot on Banning Road.

The suspect is a white male, 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs about 160 pounds. He has wavy blond hair and was wearing jeans, a black button-down shirt and large aviator sun glasses.

Hamilton County has experienced 43 bank robberies this year, compared with 53 for 2000.

Those with information can call the Hamilton County Sheriff's Department, (513) 825-1500.

OU joins others, increases tuition 8%

Ohio University joined other public campuses statewide last week and raised tuition to compensate for a lack of money from the General Assembly.

When they register this fall, most undergrads will find tuition and fees have risen 8 percent or $408 a year. That puts tuition at $5,493 for the coming year.

The University of Cincinnati recently raised fees for students pursuing bachelor's degrees by 9.1 percent.

New chairman picked for advisory board

Bob Hodge is the new chairman of the advisory board of Catholic Inner-City Schools Education Fund for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.

Mr. Hodge has been a board member for 10 years and succeeds lawyer Harry Santen, who will continue to serve as Mr. Hodge's vice chairman.

The 20-year-old fund supports more than 1,300 students, many of them nonCatholics who choose parochial schools.

Man hurt in car wreck in critical condition

Jonathan Eck, 27, of Erlanger, was in critical condition Saturday at University Hospital because of injuries he sustained in a wreck.

Mr. Eck was southbound on Interstate 71 when his vehicle crashed into the Third Street exit ramp about 1:30 a.m. Saturday, Cincinnati Police said.

No other information was available.

OSU wants state cash for library touchup

COLUMBUS  Renovating the main library heads the list of capital projects Ohio State University wants to complete with the help of state money.

University trustees voted Friday to ask the state for $80 million in the capital budget for fiscal 2003 and 2004, a period starting next summer. The university gets $78 million for capital expenditures in the current two-year period.

Fund-raising has begun for the eight-year library project, which is estimated to cost from $70 million to $100 million.

The request to the state includes $4 million for the library.

Judge scrutinized for missing work

CLEVELAND  A Cuyahoga County judge who has been criticized for missing almost a year-and-a-half of work is under investigation by the Ohio Supreme Court's disciplinary arm.

County Common Pleas Court officials told The Plain Dealer they received subpoenas from an investigator who is trying to determine how much work Judge Daniel O. Corrigan missed.

Jonathan Coughlan, the Supreme Court's disciplinary counsel, would not confirm whether his office opened a case against Judge Corrigan, 67, of Solon.

The newspaper earlier this year obtained records showing Judge Corrigan missed all but three weeks of work between late 1999 and April 2001. He also missed about seven months in 1998. Judge Corrigan has blamed his absences on heart problems.

While Judge Corrigan was away, his cases were heard by retired judges at a cost to taxpayers of nearly $190,000. Judge Corrigan continued to receive his annual salary of $100,500.

Pastor charged with stealing from woman
CLEVELAND  A pastor was indicted Friday on charges she bilked a woman out of $160,000. The woman had won the money as part of a settlement in a medical malpractice case.

Merita D. White, 56, of East Cleveland, is accused in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court of taking money from Mattie Cunningham, 38, of Cleveland Heights.

Ms. Cunningham said she lent the money to Ms. White in November 1999. Ms. White said it was a gift to Grace Apostolic Church.

Assistant Prosecutor Dan Kasaris said Ms. White was indicted on a more serious theft charge because a state law carries tougher penalties for bilking the elderly or the disabled.

Ms. White also was charged with perjury for statements she made during a deposition in a lawsuit Ms. Cunningham filed in an effort to get the money back.

Columbus air quality exceeds regulations

COLUMBUS  The recent warm weather has contributed to ozone levels exceeding federal air quality regulations in the Columbus area on five days this year. High ozone levels can be harmful to groups such as the elderly, children or those who have respiratory problems.